Power and data distribution system for beam-mounted seating

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates broadly to a stationarily-mounted seating structure, such as is used in row formation in an auditorium, theater, or the like. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a power and data distribution system for use in connection with a beam-mounted seating structure having a plurality of individual seat assemblies aligned in a row and supported by a common support beam. The power and data distribution system of the present invention provides each seat occupant with access to an electrical outlet and at least one data outlet.

Beam-mounted seating structures are typically mounted to the floor of an auditorium, theater or the like, and generally include aligned rows of individual seats that are each mounted to a common support beam that in turn is mounted above the floor by spaced vertical uprights. This type of seating structure is often used in large auditoriums in which educational classes or other lectures are given. For example, such beam-mounted seating structures are often found in university auditoriums or lecture halls.

In recent years, laptop computers have become increasingly popular and are used by a large number of people on a daily basis. At some universities, for example, each student is required to have a laptop computer, which can be used by the student during interactive multi-media classes. During such classes, the student's laptop computer is plugged into a computer network and each student participates in the lecture and can access data from the university's computer network. In this type of classroom or lecture hall, a row of students sits behind a work surface in the form of a continuous desk top on seating which may or may not be interconnected with the supporting structure of the desk top. The desk top includes a plurality of spaced data outlets into which the students can connect their laptop computers.

While in such an interactive classroom, students operate their laptop computers off of the internal batteries contained within the laptop computer. Currently, internal computer batteries have only a limited battery life and they must be recharged by plugging the laptop computer into an electrical outlet. Thus, if the lecture or presentation lasts for an extended period of time, students operating laptop computers from battery power must either shut down their computers or plug the computers into an electrical outlet in the lecture hall to recharge the internal batteries.

It has been known to provide electrical outlets and data jacks at spaced locations along the desk top for receiving the plug of a computer or other accessory.

However, systems of this type are typically mounted to the desk top separate from the seating structure. It is not generally known to provide both electric and data outlets in a housing that extends from a wireway mounted to the support beam for the seating structure.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a power and data distribution system associated with a beam-mounted seating structure having a plurality of individual seat assemblies mounted in a row and supported by a common support beam. An additional object of the invention is to position both an electrical outlet and a data outlet adjacent to each seat assembly to provide each seat occupant access to the electrical and data systems in the facility. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wireway mounted to the support beam that conceals a main electrical conduit and data lines beneath the seating surface of each of the seat assemblies. A still further object of the invention is to provide a wireway that is coupled to the support beam for the beam-mounted seating structure to isolate the data lines and main electrical conduit from the seating structure. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a series of electrical/data access housings spaced along the wireway and positioned between successive pairs of seat assemblies, such that each access housing provides both data access and electrical power to two separate seat occupants. An additional object of the invention is to provide a power and data distribution system that can be installed on conventional beam-mounted seating structures to provide the desired data and electrical outlets for each of the seat occupants.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a seating structure is constructed having a row of spaced individual seat assemblies each supported upon a common support beam. A power and data distribution system is mounted to the seating structure and provides each seat occupant with access to at least one electrical outlet and at least one data outlet. The power and data distribution system includes a wireway that is mounted beneath the support beam and conceals an electrical conduit and a plurality of individual data lines. The wireway preferably is mounted below and behind the support beam for the seating structure and includes a series of access housings that extend from the wireway. Each of the access housings includes a pair of electrical outlets and a pair of data outlets. The power and data distribution system is configured such that an access housing extends between each pair of seat assemblies positioned along the seating structure, such that each seat assembly is provided access to both an electrical outlet and a data outlet.

The wireway of the power and data distribution system is mounted to the support beam for the seating structure by a series of mounting brackets, such that the wireway can be attached to the seating structure after the seating structure has been installed. Each access housing, in turn, is supported by both the wireway and the support beam of the seating structure.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the entire power and data distribution system is connected to the electrical power system of the facility in which the seating structure is installed through a single infeed electrical conduit that extends into the wireway. The infeed electrical conduit is coupled to a main electrical conduit that is completely concealed within the wireway mounted beneath the support beam. A branch electrical conduit extends from the main electrical conduit and into the access housing where it is connected to the pair of electrical outlets. Likewise, a pair of data lines extend from the wireway into the access housing where they are coupled to the pair of data outlets contained on each access housing.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the wireway mounted beneath the seating structure includes a back panel that can be opened to provide access to the data lines and electrical wiring concealed within the wireway. The movable back panel of each wireway section allows the electrical wiring and data lines to be installed after the wireway has been mounted beneath the seating structure.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the access housing mounted between the seating assemblies includes an upper attachment portion that is secured to both the wireway and the seating structure and a bottom drawer portion that is removably attached to the upper attachment portion. The removable bottom drawer portion of each access housing allows the access housing to be initially installed to the seating structure and provides access to the electrical wiring and data lines after the wireway has been mounted beneath the seating structure.

Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a beam-mounted seating structure and associated power and data distribution system of the present invention, illustrating a row of individual seat assemblies that each have access to an associated electrical outlet and a data outlet;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the seating structure and power and data distribution system of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial front view showing the power and data distribution system as mounted to the support beam of the beam-mounted seating structure, particularly illustrating the electrical/data access housing positioned between adjacent seat assemblies;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, partial isometric view illustrating the mounting arrangement between the power and data distribution system and the support beam of the beam-mounted seating structure;

FIG. 5 is a partial section view taken along line <b>5</b>—<b>5</b> of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section view taken along line <b>6</b>—<b>6</b> of FIG. 3 illustrating the passage of an electrical conduit and a pair of data lines from a wireway of the power and data distribution system into the access housing;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, exploded isometric view illustrating the mounting arrangement between the access housing and both the wireway and the support beam of the beam-mounted seating structure;

FIG. 8 is a partial section view taken along line <b>8</b>—<b>8</b> of FIG. 6 illustrating the interconnection between the support beam and the access housing;

FIG. 9 is a partial section view taken along line <b>9</b>—<b>9</b> of FIG. 6 illustrating the passage of the electrical conduit and data lines from the wireway into the access housing;

FIG. 10 is a section view taken along line <b>10</b>—<b>10</b> of FIG. 9 illustrating the movement of a back access panel of the wireway section;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged section view of the area illustrated by line <b>11</b>—<b>11</b> of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged section view taken along line <b>12</b>—<b>12</b> of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged section view taken along line <b>13</b>—<b>13</b> of FIG. 10 illustrating the mounting of a divider within the wireway section;

FIG. 14 is an exploded isometric view illustrating the mounting connection between the wireway and the support beam of the beam-mounted seating structure;

FIG. 15 is a partial section view taken along line <b>15</b>—<b>15</b> of FIG. 3;

FIG. 16 is a partial section view taken along line <b>16</b>—<b>16</b> of FIG. 3;

FIG. 17 is a partial section view taken along line <b>17</b>—<b>17</b> of FIG. 16 illustrating the interconnection between the wireway and the support beam;

FIG. 18 is an exploded isometric view illustrating the mounting arrangement between the wireway section and the support beam; and

FIG. 19 is section view taken along line <b>19</b>—<b>19</b> of FIG. 3 further illustrating the mounting arrangement between the wireway section and the support beam.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a beam-mounted seating structure <b>20</b> that is particularly useful in creating rows of aligned seats for use in large classrooms, halls, auditoriums, theaters or the like. The seating structure <b>20</b> includes a plurality of aligned individual seat assemblies <b>22</b> that form the row of seats. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, seven individual seat assemblies <b>22</b> are shown aligned in a row, although it should be understood that the seating structure <b>20</b> could include a greater or fewer number of aligned individual seat assemblies <b>22</b>.

Each seat assembly <b>22</b> is mounted to a common support beam <b>24</b> that extends along the entire length of the row. Each seat assembly <b>22</b> is mounted to the support beam <b>24</b> in the conventional manner, such as by the seat mounting bracket <b>25</b> shown in FIG. <b>3</b>. The support beam <b>24</b>, in turn, is supported above the auditorium floor by a series of spaced vertical uprights <b>26</b>. The vertical uprights <b>26</b> are spaced along the length of the support beam <b>24</b> to provide the required stability for the entire row of seat assemblies <b>22</b>. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, the vertical uprights <b>26</b> are positioned under every fourth seat assembly <b>22</b> in the row.

Each seat assembly <b>22</b> generally includes a seat back <b>28</b> mounted by a spring loaded hinge assembly <b>30</b> to a seat <b>32</b>. As shown in FIG. 2, each seat assembly <b>22</b> includes a tablet <b>34</b> positioned above the seat <b>32</b> by a tablet arm <b>36</b>. The tablet <b>34</b> provides the seat occupant of each seat assembly <b>22</b> with a stable horizontal surface upon which the seat occupant can write or position his/her laptop computer for use during a lecture.

The construction of seating structure <b>20</b> as shown and described is known in the art, and is available from Krueger Intemational, Inc. (KI) of Green Bay, Wis., the assignee of the present application, under its designation DORSAL model FSEQ-D-G. It is understood, however, that the present invention may be employed in any type of seating system in which seat assemblies are mounted to a common beam.

In accordance with the present invention, a power and data distribution system <b>38</b> is mounted below the row of seat assemblies <b>22</b> to provide the occupant of each seat assembly <b>22</b> with access to a supply of electrical power and a data connection to a central computer system for the facility and/or the Internet. As can best be seen in FIG. 2, the power and data distribution system <b>38</b> includes a wireway <b>40</b> mounted below the support beam <b>24</b> of the seating structure <b>20</b> and a series of electrical/data access housings <b>42</b> that each extend outwardly and upwardly from the wireway <b>40</b>.

Each of the access housings <b>42</b> is positioned between a pair of the seat assemblies <b>22</b> and includes two electrical outlets <b>44</b> and two data outlets <b>46</b>, as shown in FIG. <b>3</b>. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the two electrical outlets <b>44</b> are conventional three-prong outlets, while the data outlets <b>46</b> can be either conventional communication jacks, as shown, or Ethernet receptacles, depending upon the type of computer system available in the facility. Each access housing <b>42</b> provides the seat occupants seated on either side of each access housing <b>42</b> with access to both electric power and a data connection to the central computer system and/or the Internet. For example, in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, the two leftmost seat assemblies <b>22</b> can access the leftmost access housing <b>42</b> such that each of the seat occupants can plug their laptop computers into the access housing <b>42</b>. An identical access housing <b>42</b> is positioned between the next pair of seat assemblies <b>22</b> in the row such that each of the seat assemblies <b>22</b> is provided access to one of the access housings <b>42</b>.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the wireway <b>40</b> is mounted below and behind the support beam <b>24</b> for the row of seat assemblies <b>22</b>. The wireway <b>40</b> is comprised of a plurality of wireway sections <b>48</b> that are each joined to an adjacent wireway section <b>48</b> by a bellows <b>50</b>. The combination of the wireway sections <b>48</b> and the bellows <b>50</b> define the continuous wireway <b>40</b> positioned beneath the support beam <b>24</b> of the seating structure <b>20</b>. Each wireway section <b>48</b> is a hollow, extruded plastic member that defines an open interior <b>52</b>, as shown in FIG. <b>5</b>. The open interior <b>52</b> defines a passageway for the electrical wiring and data lines to pass through the wireway <b>40</b> beneath the row of seat assemblies <b>22</b>, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the entire row of the beam-mounted seating structure <b>20</b> is electrified by a single connection to a supply of electrical power through an infeed electrical conduit <b>54</b>. The infeed electrical conduit <b>54</b> is connected to the electrical power system for the building by a junction box <b>56</b> contained on the floor <b>58</b> of the auditorium or lecture hall. The supply of electrical power preferably comes up through the floor <b>58</b> and is connected to the infeed electrical conduit <b>54</b> within the junction box <b>56</b>. In one embodiment of the invention, the power infeed conduit <b>58</b> may consist of four 12-gauge wires and one 10-gauge neutral wire encased within a liquid-tight conduit that are hardwired in the junction box <b>56</b> to the building power supply.

As shown in FIG. 4, the wireway section <b>48</b> at the end of the wireway <b>40</b> terminates at an access plate <b>60</b> that includes a pair of openings <b>62</b> that allow the infeed electrical conduit <b>54</b> to enter into the open interior <b>52</b> defined by the wireway section <b>48</b>. Referring now to FIG. 5, the access plate <b>60</b> includes an outer flange <b>64</b> that is joined to the outer wall of the wireway section <b>48</b> by a pair of screw connectors <b>66</b>. An inner flange <b>68</b> extends from the access plate <b>60</b> and is joined to the access housing <b>42</b> by a second series of screw connectors <b>70</b>.

As FIG. 1 schematically illustrates, the infeed electrical conduit <b>54</b> enters into the wireway <b>40</b> and terminates at a three-way connection plug <b>70</b>. The three-way connection plug <b>70</b> includes three receptacles that each receive an end plug from additional electrical conduits. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the infeed electrical conduit <b>54</b> including the three-way connection plug <b>70</b> is a commercially-available product from Pent, Inc. of Kendallville, Ind. under its model number 180016 and is commonly referred to as a UHI conduit. Additionally, each of the end plugs coupled to the three way connection plug <b>70</b> includes a simplex end plug that provides a conventional connection to the five wires of the infeed electrical conduit <b>54</b>.

The connection plug <b>70</b> receives an end plug from a main electrical conduit <b>72</b> that extends through the wireway <b>40</b> and terminates at its own three-way connection plug <b>70</b><i>b</i>. While FIG. 1 illustrates only seven individual seat assemblies <b>22</b>, it should be understood that additional main electrical conduits <b>72</b> can be coupled together using connection plugs <b>70</b><i>b </i>such that the electrical wiring can extend through the entire wireway <b>40</b> beneath the row of seat assemblies <b>22</b>, regardless of the total number of seating assemblies <b>22</b>.

Referring back to FIG. 1, a pair of branch electrical conduits <b>74</b><i>a </i>and <b>74</b><i>b </i>are connected to the three-way connection plug <b>70</b> by corresponding end plugs. Each of the branch electrical conduits <b>74</b><i>a</i>, <b>74</b><i>b </i>extends from the three-way connection plug <b>70</b> and is connected to a pair of electrical outlets <b>44</b> contained in one of the access housings <b>42</b> positioned between a pair of seat assemblies <b>22</b>. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the branch electrical conduit <b>74</b><i>a </i>provides electrical power for one access housing <b>42</b> while the branch electrical conduit <b>74</b><i>b </i>provides electrical power to a second access housing <b>42</b>. In this manner, a single three-way connection plug <b>70</b> contained in the wireway <b>40</b> provides electrical power to four separate electric outlets <b>44</b> for four individual seat assemblies <b>22</b>, while also providing a connection for the main electrical conduit <b>72</b> that supplies electric power to the remaining seat assemblies <b>22</b> of the seating structure <b>20</b>.

Although not shown in FIG. 1 or <b>2</b>, a bundle of data lines pass through a data infeed opening formed in the floor <b>58</b> and enter into the wireway <b>40</b> at a selected location, such as for example, through an opening cut into the bottom wall of one of the wireway sections <b>48</b>. Each of the data lines is connected to a central computer system (not shown) or similar structure for the building in which the seating structure <b>20</b> is installed. For example, if the seating structure <b>20</b> is installed in a university lecture hall, each of the data lines may be connected to the university computer system or a main computer being operated by a professor presenting the class. Each of the data lines that enter into the wireway <b>40</b> have one end coupled to one of the data outlets <b>46</b> contained on one of the access housing <b>42</b>, as shown in FIG. <b>3</b>. Since each individual seat assembly <b>22</b> is provided access to its own data outlet <b>46</b> and each data outlet <b>46</b> requires a separate data line, the number of data lines that are fed into the wireway <b>40</b> is based on the number of seat assemblies <b>22</b> contained in the row.

Although the present invention is described as including data lines that transmit computer related information, it should be understood that the “data” lines means any type of communication such as voice, data, fiber optics or various equivalents. In any event, the wireway <b>40</b> encloses and protects the “data” lines beneath the row of seating.

Referring now to FIG. 6, both the branch electric conduit <b>74</b><i>a </i>and a pair of the data lines <b>76</b> are shown passing from the open interior <b>52</b> of the wireway section <b>48</b> into the generally hollow, open interior <b>78</b> of the access housing <b>42</b>. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the single branch electric conduit <b>74</b><i>a </i>is connected to the pair of electric outlets <b>44</b>, while each of the data lines <b>76</b> has its first end <b>79</b> connected to one of the data outlets <b>46</b>.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 9, inner wall <b>80</b> of the wireway section <b>48</b> includes an opening <b>82</b> that permits the data lines <b>76</b> and branch electric conduit <b>74</b><i>a </i>to exit the open interior <b>52</b> of the wireway section <b>48</b>. The access housing <b>42</b> also includes an opening <b>84</b> formed in the rear end <b>86</b> of the access housing <b>42</b>, as shown in FIG. <b>7</b>. When the access housing <b>42</b> is mounted to the wireway section <b>48</b>, as shown in FIG. 6, the aligned openings <b>82</b> and <b>84</b> create a passageway between the open interior <b>52</b> of the wireway section <b>48</b> and the open interior <b>78</b> of the access housing <b>42</b> through which the branch electrical conduit <b>74</b><i>a </i>and data lines <b>76</b> can pass.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, a power/data divider <b>88</b> is mounted within each wireway section <b>48</b> to separate the data lines <b>76</b> from the electrical wires passing through the open interior <b>52</b>. Since electronic data messages passing through the data lines <b>76</b> can be adversely affected by power surges within the electrical wires when the electrical wires and data lines <b>76</b> are in close proximity, the divider <b>88</b> provides physical separation between the data lines <b>76</b> and the electrical wires to prevent such adverse affects.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 13, the divider <b>88</b> extends along the entire length of the wireway section <b>48</b> and includes a generally horizontal shelf <b>90</b> that physically separates the data lines <b>76</b> from the electrical wiring. The horizontal shelf <b>90</b> is connected to a vertical mounting portion <b>92</b> that includes a detent <b>94</b>. The vertical mounting portion <b>92</b> and detent <b>94</b> are received within a generally U-shaped channel <b>96</b> formed on the inside surface of the inner wall <b>80</b> of the wireway section <b>48</b>. Specifically, a flange <b>98</b> extends from the inner surface of the inner wall <b>80</b> to define the U-shaped channel <b>96</b> that receives the vertical mounting portion <b>92</b> of the divider <b>88</b>. The flange <b>98</b> includes a groove <b>100</b> that receives the detent <b>94</b> to retain the vertical mounting portion <b>92</b> within the U-shaped channel <b>96</b>.

As shown in FIG. 10, each wireway section <b>48</b> includes a back panel <b>102</b> that is movable between a closed, latched position and an open, access position shown in phantom. The back panel <b>102</b> is movable to the open position to allow access to the electrical wiring and data lines contained within the wireway <b>40</b> defined by the joined wireway sections <b>48</b>. As shown in FIG. 12, the back panel <b>102</b> includes a horizontal latch portion <b>104</b> having a detent <b>106</b>. Both the latch portion <b>104</b> and detent <b>106</b> extend along the entire length of the wireway section <b>48</b> and are received within a U-shaped channel <b>108</b> formed along top wall <b>110</b> of the wireway section <b>48</b>. Specifically, a flange <b>112</b> extends from the top wall <b>110</b> and defines the channel <b>108</b> that receives the latch portion <b>104</b>. A groove <b>114</b> formed in the flange <b>112</b> receives the detent <b>106</b> to securely hold the latch portion <b>104</b> in the closed position.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, the connection between the back panel <b>102</b> and bottom wall <b>116</b> of the wireway section <b>48</b> includes a groove <b>117</b> of removed material that defines a hinge <b>118</b>. The hinge <b>118</b> allows the molded plastic back panel <b>102</b> to flex outward and provide access to the open interior <b>52</b> of the wireway section <b>48</b>.

As previously discussed, the wireway <b>40</b> is constructed from a plurality of consecutive wireway sections <b>48</b> that are each joined to the adjacent section by a bellows <b>50</b>, as shown in FIG. <b>14</b>. Each wireway section <b>48</b> has a length generally corresponding to the distance between adjacent seat assemblies <b>28</b>. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the power and data distribution system <b>38</b> includes both short and long wireway sections <b>48</b> to compensate for the variable seat spacing necessary to creates straight aisles. For example, a short wireway section is utilized for seat spacing of 22″ to 26″, while a long wireway section <b>48</b> is used for 26″ to 30″ seat spacing.

The bellows <b>50</b> is a molded plastic component that includes a ribbed section <b>120</b> positioned between the two ends <b>121</b> of the bellows <b>50</b>. The ribbed section <b>120</b> allows the bellows <b>50</b> to slightly extend and retract to provide a somewhat flexible coupling between the wireway sections <b>48</b>. In addition, the flexible bellows <b>50</b> allows the wireway <b>40</b> to be installed on a radius beam layout in which each row of seats has an arcuate shape. The combination of the multiple wireway sections <b>48</b> and the flexible bellows <b>50</b> allows the wireway <b>40</b> to conform to the curved support beam <b>24</b> in a radius beam layout.

The bellows <b>50</b> defines a generally U-shaped channel that opens downward and receives the pair of wireway sections <b>48</b> at its opposite ends <b>121</b>. As can be seen in FIG. 15, outer end <b>122</b> of each wireway section <b>48</b> extends into the bellows <b>50</b> a distance that is significantly less than half of the overall length of the bellows <b>50</b> between its two ends <b>121</b>. In this manner, the bellows <b>50</b> defines an open interior <b>124</b> through which the electrical wiring and data lines pass between adjacent wireway sections <b>48</b>.

Referring back to FIG. 14, the wireway <b>40</b>, and specifically the bellows <b>50</b>, is mounted to the support beam <b>24</b> beneath each seat assembly <b>22</b> by a bellows support bracket <b>126</b>. The bellows support bracket <b>126</b> generally includes a first portion <b>128</b> and a second portion <b>130</b> that are connected to form the complete bellows support bracket <b>126</b>. The first portion <b>128</b> is generally C-shaped and includes an upper attachment flange <b>132</b>, a lower attachment flange <b>134</b> and a back flange <b>136</b>. The upper attachment flange <b>132</b> is joined to a horizontal upper wing <b>138</b>. The upper wing <b>138</b> is received within a retaining channel <b>140</b> formed on the bellows <b>50</b> when the first portion <b>128</b> of the bellows support bracket <b>126</b> is slid into the supporting position shown in FIG. <b>17</b>. The retaining channel <b>140</b> is defined by a pair of ribs <b>143</b> formed on the bellows <b>50</b> to prevent the upper wing <b>138</b> from moving laterally with respect to the longitudinal length of the bellows <b>50</b> when the first portion <b>128</b> is installed as shown in FIG. <b>16</b>.

When the first portion <b>128</b> of the bellows support bracket <b>126</b> is slid into position, a vertical wing <b>143</b> extending from the back flange <b>136</b> is received in the vertical portion of the retaining channel <b>140</b>, as defined by the ribs <b>142</b>. When the bellows support bracket <b>126</b> is installed as shown in FIG. 16, a bottom wing <b>146</b> extending perpendicularly from the lower flange <b>134</b> closes the bottom of the bellows <b>50</b> and provides support for the outer end <b>122</b> of the wireway section <b>48</b>.

The second portion <b>130</b> of the bellows support bracket <b>126</b> is generally L-shaped and includes a vertical flange <b>148</b> and a joined horizontal flange <b>150</b>. The vertical flange <b>148</b> includes a hook member <b>152</b> that is received within a slot <b>154</b> formed near the end of the bottom wing <b>146</b> of the first portion <b>128</b>, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 16. When the hook member <b>152</b> is inserted into the slot <b>154</b>, the vertical flange <b>148</b> is received within the retaining channel <b>140</b> extending along the sidewall of the bellows <b>50</b>. In this manner, the combination of the first portion <b>128</b> and second portion <b>130</b> of the bellows support bracket <b>126</b> encompasses the bellows <b>50</b> and is retained in the channel <b>140</b>. The complete bellows support bracket <b>126</b> provides a means of attaching the bellows <b>50</b> and supports the outer end <b>122</b> of the wireway section <b>48</b>.

When the first portion <b>128</b> and the second portion <b>130</b> of the bellows support bracket <b>126</b> are connected as shown in FIG. 16, the horizontal flange <b>150</b> of the second portion <b>130</b> is positioned below and in contact with the upper wing <b>138</b> of the first portion <b>128</b>. In this manner, the bellows support bracket <b>126</b> encompasses the bellows <b>50</b> and a pair of slots <b>158</b> formed in a vertical attachment flange <b>156</b> of the second portion <b>130</b> are generally aligned with a second pair of slots <b>160</b> formed in the upper flange <b>132</b> of the first portion of the bellows support bracket <b>126</b>.

A mounting bracket <b>162</b>, including a horizontal portion <b>164</b> and a vertical portion <b>166</b>, is secured to a flange <b>167</b> of the vertical upright <b>26</b>, as best shown in FIGS. 14 and 17. Specifically, a pair of thread forming connectors <b>168</b> pass through openings within the horizontal portion <b>164</b> and are received within aligned pilot holes (not shown) formed in the flange <b>167</b>.

After the mounting bracket <b>162</b> has been installed, the bellows support bracket <b>126</b> is secured to the mounting bracket <b>162</b> by a pair of connectors <b>170</b> that pass through the slots <b>160</b> formed in the upper flange <b>132</b> and the aligned slots <b>158</b> formed in the vertical attachment flange <b>156</b>. As can be understood in the drawings, the wireway <b>40</b>, and specifically the bellows <b>50</b>, is supported beneath the flange <b>167</b> by the interconnection between the mounting bracket <b>162</b> and the bellows support bracket <b>126</b>. Thus, the power and data distribution system <b>38</b> can be attached to the beam-mounted seating structure <b>20</b> after the seating structure <b>20</b> has been installed. In this manner, beam-mounted seating structures <b>20</b> that have previously been installed in a facility can be retrofit by simply adding the power and data distribution system <b>38</b> of the present invention, or power and data distribution system <b>38</b> can be installed at the same time as seating structure <b>20</b> is installed.

In addition to the bellows support bracket <b>126</b> that supports the wireway <b>40</b> beneath each of the seat assemblies <b>22</b>, a series of wireway mounting brackets <b>172</b> (FIG. 3) are used to support the wireway <b>40</b> along the support beam <b>24</b> at locations other than bellows <b>50</b>. The wireway mounting brackets <b>172</b> are positioned between adjacent seat assemblies <b>22</b> that do not have one of the access housings <b>42</b> positioned therebetween, as is illustrated in FIG. 2, at regular intervals along the length of wireway <b>40</b>.

Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, the wireway mounting bracket <b>172</b> includes a mounting strap <b>174</b> that is sized to surround the outer surface of the rectangular support beam <b>24</b>. The mounting strap <b>174</b> includes a pair of extended sidewalls <b>176</b> that are longer than the height of the support beam <b>24</b>. As can be seen in FIG. 19, when the mounting strap <b>174</b> is installed over the support beam <b>24</b>, each of the sidewalls <b>176</b> extends downward past the bottom wall of the support beam <b>24</b>.

The mounting strap <b>174</b> is installed on the support beam <b>24</b> by first spreading the sidewalls <b>176</b> and then sliding the mounting strap <b>176</b> downward onto the support beam <b>24</b>. Therefore, the mounting straps <b>174</b>, and thus the entire wireway mounting bracket <b>172</b>, can be installed after the seating structure <b>20</b> has been installed. Each of the sidewalls <b>176</b> terminates with an attachment flange <b>178</b> that extends perpendicular to the sidewall <b>176</b>. Each attachment flange <b>178</b> extends toward the center of the mounting strap <b>174</b> and includes a pair of openings <b>180</b> that each receive a connector <b>182</b>. The connectors <b>182</b> extend through openings <b>184</b> formed in base plate <b>186</b> and are received within the aligned opening <b>180</b> formed in the attachment flanges <b>178</b>. The base plate <b>186</b> is connected to a vertical mounting plate <b>188</b> and includes a support wall <b>190</b> that is set off from the base plate <b>186</b> by vertical walls <b>191</b>. The support wall <b>190</b> contacts the bottom wall of the support beam <b>24</b> when the mounting strap <b>174</b> is positioned surrounding the support beam <b>24</b> and connected to the base plate <b>186</b> by the connectors <b>182</b>.

The vertical mounting plate <b>188</b>, in turn, is fastened to the inner wall <b>80</b> of the wireway section <b>48</b> by a series of connectors <b>192</b> that pass through aligned openings <b>194</b> and <b>196</b> formed in the mounting plate <b>188</b> and wireway section <b>48</b>, respectively. Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 19, the wireway section <b>48</b> is supported by wireway mounting bracket <b>172</b> both beneath and below the support beam <b>24</b> for the beam-mounted seating structure <b>20</b>.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, in addition to providing support for the wireway <b>40</b> beneath the support beam <b>28</b>, the wireway mounting bracket <b>172</b> closes off the openings <b>82</b> formed in the wireway section <b>48</b> that do not receive one of the access housings <b>42</b>. Since one of the access housings <b>42</b> is connected only to every other wireway section <b>48</b>, the wireway mounting bracket <b>172</b>, and specifically the mounting plate <b>188</b>, covers the opening <b>82</b> in the wireway section <b>48</b>. In this manner, each of the wireway sections <b>48</b> can be formed in an identical manner without requiring different sections to be used when constructing the power and data distribution system <b>38</b> of the present invention.

Although the power and data distribution system <b>38</b> of the present invention is shown and described including an access housing <b>42</b> connected to every other wireway section <b>48</b> such that each access housing <b>42</b> services a pair of adjacent seating assemblies <b>22</b>, it is contemplated by the inventor that an access housing <b>42</b> could be positioned between each of the individual seat assemblies <b>22</b>. In this alternate configuration, each of the seat assemblies <b>22</b> would have access to electrical outlets <b>44</b> and data outlets <b>46</b> on each side of the seating assembly <b>22</b>. This alternate configuration would also provide each seat occupant with access to two electrical outlets <b>44</b> and two data outlets <b>46</b>.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the access housing <b>42</b> is a three-part, molded plastic member that is supported by both the wireway housing <b>48</b> and the support beam <b>24</b>. The access housing <b>42</b> includes an upper attachment portion <b>194</b>, a bottom drawer portion <b>196</b> and a front receptacle mounting portion <b>198</b>. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, the receptacle mounting portion <b>198</b> includes openings to mount both of the electrical outlets <b>44</b> and both of the data outlets <b>46</b>. A face plate <b>200</b> surrounds the data outlets <b>46</b> and is positioned between the drawer portion <b>196</b> and the receptacle mounting portion <b>198</b>. The face plate <b>200</b> is a separate component that is received in a pair of opposed vertical slots formed in the mounting portion <b>198</b>. The specific configuration of the face plate <b>200</b> is selected by the user depending on the specific type of data outlet <b>46</b> selected. During installation, the data lines <b>76</b> and data outlets <b>46</b> are attached to the face plate <b>200</b> and the face plate <b>200</b> is slid into place.

Referring back to FIG. 6, the receptacle mounting portion <b>198</b> includes a divider wall <b>202</b> that separates the electrical outlets <b>44</b> from the data outlets <b>46</b>. The divider wall <b>202</b> includes both a horizontal portion and a vertical portion to isolate the electrical wiring from the data lines <b>76</b>. The vertical portion of the divider wall <b>202</b> is coupled to a horizontal plate <b>204</b> that includes an opening <b>206</b>. The opening <b>206</b> is sized to allow the branch electrical conduit <b>74</b><i>a </i>to pass through the horizontal plate <b>204</b>. In addition to the opening <b>206</b>, the receptacle mounting portion <b>198</b> includes a threaded saddle <b>205</b> that securely receives the branch electrical conduit <b>74</b><i>a</i>. In addition to the threaded saddle <b>205</b>, the upper attachment portion <b>194</b> includes a pair of spaced vertical walls (not shown) that grip the branch electrical conduit <b>74</b><i>a </i>after it passes through the saddle <b>205</b>. The combination of the vertical walls on the upper attachment portion <b>194</b> and the saddle <b>205</b> on the receptacle mounting portion <b>198</b> provide enough interference to restrict the branch electrical conduit <b>74</b><i>a </i>from rotating and thus provides strain relief.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, once the electrical outlets <b>44</b> and the data outlets <b>46</b> have been connected to the electrical wiring and data lines <b>76</b>, the front receptacle mounting portion <b>198</b> is secured to the upper attachment portion <b>194</b> by either ultrasonic welding or an adhesive. In this manner, the upper attachment portion <b>194</b> and front receptacle mounting portion <b>198</b> become a unitary structure that can be mounted to both the support beam <b>24</b> and the wireway <b>40</b> in the manner to be discussed below.

The bottom drawer portion <b>196</b> is aligned by tongue and groove and secured to the receptacle mounting portion <b>198</b> by a pair of screws (not shown) that are accessible through a pair of access passages <b>208</b> formed in an angled front wall <b>207</b> of the bottom drawer portion <b>196</b>. When the bottom drawer portion <b>196</b> is removed from the access housing <b>42</b>, as shown in FIG. 7, the internal wiring contained within the access housing <b>42</b> is accessible for any required repairs. In addition to the connection to the receptacle mounting portion <b>198</b>, the bottom drawer portion <b>196</b> includes a support tab <b>209</b> that is received in an opening formed in the inner wall <b>80</b> of the wireway section <b>48</b>, as shown in FIG. <b>6</b>.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the attachment portion <b>194</b> of the access housing <b>42</b> is attached to the support beam <b>24</b> by a mounting strap <b>210</b>. Specifically, the mounting strap <b>210</b> includes a pair of sidewalls <b>212</b> that extend downward from a top wall <b>214</b> and terminate with a perpendicular attachment flange <b>216</b>. Each of the sidewalls <b>212</b> is longer than the height of the rectangular support beam <b>24</b> such that a horizontal back surface <b>218</b> of the upper attachment portion <b>194</b> is positioned below the support beam <b>24</b>. A series of connectors <b>220</b> pass upward through holes <b>224</b> formed in the back surface <b>218</b> and are threadedly received in corresponding openings <b>222</b> formed in the attachment flanges <b>216</b>. In this manner, the attachment portion <b>194</b> can be attached to the support beam <b>24</b> after the seating structure has been installed. A pair of standoffs <b>226</b> extend upward from the back surface <b>218</b> and contact the bottom wall of the support beam <b>24</b>, as shown in FIG. <b>6</b>.

In addition to being mounted to the support beam <b>24</b> by the mounting trap <b>210</b>, the upper attachment portion <b>194</b> of the access housing <b>42</b> is mounted to the wireway section <b>48</b> by a series of connectors <b>228</b> that pass through the inner wall <b>80</b> of the wireway section <b>48</b> and are received within openings <b>230</b> formed in the rear surface <b>86</b> of the upper attachment portion <b>194</b>, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. The connectors <b>228</b>, as shown in FIG. 5, are installed by moving the back panel <b>102</b> of the wireway section <b>48</b> to its open, access position as shown in phantom in FIG. <b>10</b>. When the back panel <b>102</b> is open, the connectors <b>228</b> can be screwed into the openings <b>230</b> contained in the back surface <b>86</b>.

It is important to note that a significant feature of the present invention is the ability to mount the power and data distribution system <b>38</b> to the support beam <b>24</b> after the beam-mounted seating structure <b>20</b> has been installed. In this manner, the power and distribution system <b>38</b> can either be installed at the same time the beam-mounted seating structure <b>20</b> is installed, or installed on pre-existing seating structures <b>20</b> that have been in place for quite some time. It is contemplated by the inventor that the power and data distribution system <b>38</b> constructed in accordance with the present invention could be used to retrofit existing beam-mounted seating structures <b>20</b> in order to update a lecture hall or auditorium with both power and data access. Since the bellows mounting bracket <b>126</b>, the wireway mounting brackets <b>172</b>, and the mounting straps <b>210</b> can be positioned at various locations along the support beam <b>24</b>, the power and data distribution system <b>38</b> of the present invention can easily be modified to be usable with various types of beam-mounted seating structures <b>20</b> other than the one illustrated in the drawings.

Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.